Owners love their Yamaha BT1100 Bulldogs. Everyone else hates ‘em. Depending on your point of view the Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog is either a relaxing, better-braked alternative to a cruiser, rather like a Japanese version of a Moto Guzzi Breva (that won’t break down), or it’s an ill-handling, gutless chump of a thing that would sooner dump you on your backside than take a right-hander with any kind of vigour.
Engine
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The Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog's air-cooled V-twin SOHC lump comes straight from Yamaha’s old 1100 Virago. And while it’s got some decent pull with 230kg to haul about it soon runs out of ideas and go. Bizarrely it makes all its torque early and high up in the rev range. The Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog needs loud cans to give it any kind of character.
Ride and Handling
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The big problem with the Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog is brisk cornering. It simply can’t do a big lean to the right – the header pipe touches down, chamfers briefly, then lifts the front wheel and you’re on your arse. And it feels bum-heavy, too, like you’ve got a washing machine for a pillion. No – ride the Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog like a cruiser or slow muscle bike and it’s fine, push it hard and it’s horrid. The ex-R1 superbike brakes are predictably good, the lazy bones ex-cruiser gearbox less so. In its defence, the Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog is very comfortable.
Equipment
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Shaft drive keeps the Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog's back wheel free of grime-attracting lube and the clocks are comprehensive (they were redesigned in 2005) and clear. From 2005 onwards the Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog gained an ignition-based immobiliser as standard.
Quality and Reliability
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The Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog's mirrors are poor, showing more of your elbows than the road.
Value
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The only thing that depreciates faster than the Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog is underwear. The hit on a new bike is phenomenal – a dealer would shave 50, yes 50, per cent of the original value on a trade-in after just a year’s use. So buy a two-year-old Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog and be a very much happier bunny. However, the best thing about the Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog is the attention it attracts – civilians (non-bikers) love it. What price that, eh?
Model History
2002: Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog introduced.
2005: Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog gets slight updates including better clocks and seat and an immobiliser.
2005: Yamaha BT1100 Bulldog gets slight updates including better clocks and seat and an immobiliser.
Other Versions
None.
Specifications
| Top speed | 109 mph |
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| 1/4-mile acceleration | 13.8 secs |
| Max power | 64 bhp |
| Max torque | 60 ft-lb |
| Weight | 230 kg |
| Seat height | 812 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 20 litres |
| Average fuel consumption | 45 mpg |
| Tank range | 200 miles |
| Annual road tax | |
| Insurance group | 14 of 17 |
| Engine size | 1063 cc |
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| Engine specification | 4v V-twin, 5 gears |
| Frame | Tubular steel trellis |
| Front suspension adjustment | Preload |
| Rear suspension adjustment | Preload |
| Front brakes | Twin 298mm discs |
| Rear brake | 267mm disc |
| Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
| Rear tyre size | 170/55 x 17 |
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